Playing Journalist: My First Press Conference

The Herbalife World Football Challenge 2011 kicks off this Wednesday, July 13 with EPL champions Manchester United visiting the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

Sir Alex Ferguson and his squad arrived yesterday to the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston and yours truly was on hand to pick up credentials for the game and take in a press conference featuring Fergie, Rio Ferdinand, Revolution Head Coach and former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol, and Revs captain Shalrie Joseph.

I’d love to report that I was calm and collected for my first behind-the-scenes look at the world of soccer and sports media but, that’s simply not the case.

I had to go straight from work and was afraid I was going to be under-dressed so I sweat my butt off all day in pants and a nice shirt, only to arrive to see a lot of the other people arriving in shorts and t-shirts.

On my way past the growing line of cameras outside the hotel one poor guy fell over the barricade. A bad omen?

The Four Seasons is ridiculous. I’ve never had a legitimate excuse to go in but when I asked about where to pick up my passes I was whisked inside by a doorman. There are crazy chandeliers, there’s marble everywhere, and all of the female employees I saw were hot.

I swear I passed like 6 fountains.

As I waited patiently for my credentials (stood there like a dumbass), the girl behind the counter looked behind me and whined, “Oh, you’re not going to wear those are you?”

It was Shalrie Joseph, wearing a blinged out pair of oversize glasses.

Trying to match the manager? Joseph later stared blankly at a guy who asked if he was near or far sighted.

This is the point where I geeked out a bit inside, and I quickly went inside to claim a seat where the conference was set up.

The Manchester United bus arrived soon after and I got a few decent shots out of the hotel window. United has actually travelled with a pretty strong lineup and the relatively small band of fans gathered outside scored a ton of autographs.

Very inconspicuous ride, United.

Nani later dove over a crack in the sidewalk.

I would estimate there were about 50 media members altogether with reporters and cameraman, and we got quickly back in our seats (I scored a pretty good one) in time for the guests to arrive.

The first thing I honestly looked at was SAF’s face, which is indeed very red. Moving on.

It was at this point that I realized how technologically unprepared I was. Everyone else put their audio recorders on the conference table and began snapping rapid fire shots with nice cameras.

I had a composition book and my iPhone.

Some representative from the Revolution gave a brief introduction of all the panelists, and when listed aloud, the footballing accomplishments of both Ferguson and Nicol are extremely impressive.

Both managers gave opening statements that more or less summarized their feelings and expectations about the match and those ahead in the Challenge.

After pleasantries were exchanged between the two gaffers, SAF spoke a lot about how fitness was a primary goal of his side during the trip as for them it marks a beginning of sorts to the new season. He made sure to mention that MLS sides are in full fitness at this point. Typical manger, downplaying expectations. But a valid point.

For his part, Nicol seems to hope playing well against a team like Manchester United can boost his last-place Revolution side’s confidence a bit so they can get a good run going in the second half of the season.

When the floor was opened for questions most of them were directed to Ferguson. He was asked more of what seemed to be the same exact question from some British journalists about how he approaches these games in terms of team management.

He repeated himself reminding people that “expectations are always high” for the English Champs, and made sure to throw in his desire not to be “embarrassed”.

SAF was then asked if, with the loss of many experienced players, this would be the first season of a “new era” or a “different” United.

I think the word “rebuilding” was strongly implied, but The Stretford End will be pleased to know that Fergie answered with a firm, “Not this year.”

He also deftly and coldly thwarted all attempts at transfer talk, including prodding about Nasri and Sneijder. Very interesting and sort of tense to watch in person.

Things got lighter soon when Ferguson answered a question that had actually been addressed to Rio. The big defender smirked behind his manager (he had been making a face at someone on the side earlier) and when the guy from Channel 5 reissued the question, Ferdinand quipped, “Cheers boss” to a big laugh.

"With the boss up here, you get one question and he tries to nick it!"

 Rio answered a few questions about some of the new signings and deals at United, particularly those of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. “This club always evolves,” said Ferdinand, who claimed to relish battling in training with the younger duo.

The SAF’s phone went off and it honestly seemed like he didn’t know how to operate it. Everyone fumbles with an interrupting phone, but I’m pretty sure Steve Nicol actually had to help him.

Then, I swear to God, Ferguson immediately and obviously scoped out the microphone girl’s ass as he recommenced answering whatever the question had been. I forgot what it was. I was looking too.

The conference ended with SAF giving his take on MLS and American soccer in general.

Oddly enough he singled out the marketing, coaching, and sport science being the things he feels have improved the most. I think I’ll have to disagree.

Then he got into his theory that a major obstacle to the game in the US is the size of the country and suggested that if the sport gains a deeper foothold, actually dividing the top league up into 2 or even 4 leagues based on geography. At first I thought he meant more tiers, but we already have a pyramid of sorts.

Perhaps this is a theory others have tossed about, but I’ve never heard it.

And just like that it was over.

Where do I pick up my Pulitzer?

I was too nervous to ask a question during the press conference. I was surrounded by folks from other, higher than third-rate publications (some arguably, maybe), and honestly just enjoyed basking in what was, for a high school special ed. teacher, an awesome and glamorous experience.

I’m aware this wasn’t even as close to as big as it gets, but I still had a great time.

And I did ask a question later! Steve Nicol walked by and was mobbed right in front of me. After the dudes with the digital recorders were done, the coach was kind enough to answer a question from a wide-eyed amateur.

I asked him if playing a side with United’s talent gave him the chance to assess anything specific or differently about his side than playing in the league.

He responded that what he looks at most is mentality. “You know you’re going to be put under pressure,” he said, but it’s whether or not players have the intelligence to get out of situations that he is looking for.

So I got to talk to a European and English champion ex-Liverpool man, a shiny badge, free Four Seasons water (delicious), and the chance to act like a real journo for an hour.

I’m really looking forward to the actual game on Wednesday, when the adventure continues.